The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-10-01

LESSON FOR OCTOBER o. 1887.
BY REV. ROBERT I. POLK.
THE TEMPEST STILLED.
Matthew viii. 1921

The CONDITIONS OF True DIsoTPLEsHIP.
By comparison of the Gospels it appears
that the incidents contained in the Lesson
occurred on the evening of the day when
JESUS spoke the parallels of the Sewer and the
Seeds, after the delivery of his sermon by
the sea. or lake of Galilee xiii. Mark. iv. 35-
Al; Luke viii. 22-25; tx. 1892. Luke even
separates the incidents, and apparently
places the interview with those who were dis
posed to follow JESUS, much later than the
tempest on the lake, though the time of the
occurrence may not be definitely stated.
Events are grouped in Luke's Gospel as in
Matthew's, but in different arrangement and
with apparently different purpose. Accord
mo to Matthew, at some time, not definitely
stated. when JESUS saw many crowds about
him he gave command to depart into the re-
zion bevond the lake of Galilee, that is to
Perea. Apparently, while they were prepar-
ing to cross the lake, or on the way to the
boat, the conversation occurred, descrlbedin
the first paragraph of the Lesson, though 1t
NAV have been at another and a later time.
A (one) SCRIBE probably the only one of that
class among the disciples, came to JESUS and
said. Teacher, l will follow you wherever you
eo.o He expressed a willingness to become
a permanent disciple and constant follower
of JESUS. JESUS assured him that he must be
the disciple of a homeless and wandering
teacher. He may have been over confident
and jealous, and the kind teacher warned
him of the hardships he might be Obliged TO
endure as his constant companion ana discl-
ple. Even wild animals and BIRDS nave
abodes, but he was homeless wanderer
without fixed habitation. He had been driven
from Nazareth, his only home by the violent
prejudice of his neighbors. And now Caper-
naum was no longer safe retreat on ac-
count of the angry opposition of his own
countrymen; even his own family was OPP
nosed to his public teaching and sought to
restrain him as a mailman Mark Ill. 24).
Another of the disciples said to him, MAS
ter, first permit me to go and bury my ia
Their" According to Luke JESUS SAID TO an
other disciple, "Follow me-" who answered
with the request to be permitted to bury his
father first, We need not conclude that the
father was already dead, but that the request
of the disciple was that he might delay at
tachinp himself to his Master till after mis-
fathers death Among the Jews the duty OF
sons to bury their father was held most sa-
cred. By the Rabbinical law. jew was only
excused from the solemn duty to become
student of the law. JESUS replied to the dis
ciple's request, e" Follow me, and leave the
dead to bury their own dead" The common
Interpretation of this passage applies the
first dead to the spiritually dead, those who
had not been spiritually quickened by JESUS
mir istry. The Interpretation is Justified by
the analogy of Scripture. leave the spir-
itually dead to bury their own dead, but you
90 and proclaim the kingdom of Co" Luke
tx. COY. said JESUS. He may only have ap-
plied the Rabbinical law to the disciple
whom he had called to be both disciple and
teacher in the kingdom of COP. There were
enough among the unawakened ana spiritu-
ally dead, brothers of the disciple, 1t may De,
to perform all the offices of affection to the
dead. JEscs would by no means encourage
neglect of duty to parents, but all duties are
included in faithful and single-hearted discl-
pleship in the Kingdom of CHRIST, just as
needful comforts are secured In seeking nrst
its blessings wi. 33). Luke informs Us tnat
another also said 81 will follow you, Master,
but permit me first to say d-by to my
family" JESUS said to him, "No man hav-
ing put his hand to the pillow, and looking
back, is fit for the Kingdom of Cop" (Luke
tx. 62). JESUS required of his disciples an
entire remuneration of all other relations, du-
ties and ambitions; but Christianity makes
all proper relations and duties more sacred
and binding. hearty acknowledgment of
our supreme relations with GoD, our Heav-
emily Father, and mankind, his earthly fam
lily, will include all human relationships and
duties. Hesitancy, or delay, or self seeking
disqualifies for true Christian Discipleship.
To follow CHRIST truly is to promptly sur
render and subordinate all things else to his
call. What is thus surrendered is really re-
tanned with manifold value. WHAT'S lost for
CHRIST is truly gained.